CPW Firearms Safety Training Specialist IV

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

The Field Services Branch of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is responsible for providing and/or overseeing the delivery of law enforcement programs, services, and trained staff necessary to enforce laws, rules, and regulations required to protect and preserve the state’s wildlife and parks resources.  The branch includes multiple units, including Investigations (LEU), the CPW K9 Program, Emergency Management/Backcountry Search and Rescue (EM/BSAR), Commercial Parks, Illegal Trafficking Unit, Training, Law Enforcement Records, Boating Safety, and Registrations.

Specifically, the Firearms Safety Program is a newly created work unit within Field Services with the passage of SB25-003. The administration of the Firearms Safety Program was legislatively designated as a CPW function, in cooperation with local county Sheriff’s offices and The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, that must be in place and available for public use on August 1, 2026. Additionally, CPW created a new FTE (proposed here) to act as an Firearms Safety Training Specialist, overseeing CPW’s role in the larger scope of SB25-003 requirements.

The Firearm Safety Program will manage the following functions, as required by legislation:  1) Build and maintain a central database housing firearms eligibility information required by the bill that is accessible to county sheriffs, private firearms instructors, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in a secure manner, 2) Design and write firearms training curriculum as required by SB25-003, 3) Design and write an eligibility assessment questionnaire to be administered by Sheriff’s offices for all applicants, 4) Liaison with sheriffs offices, CBI, firearms instructors and FFLs to complete the requirements set forth by SB25-003, and 5) work in conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Commission to establish a firearms safety program records fee to provide on-going funding for the program.

The Firearms Safety Training Specialist will serve as the agency expert in building and developing CPW’s firearms safety training curriculum to fulfill the requirements set forth by SB25-003. The position will be the point of contact for firearms instructors that will be participating in CPW’s firearms safety program, provide recommendations and expertise for the Parks and Wildlife Commission and CPW’s Firearms Safety Program Manager.  This position will need to closely coordinate with the CPW Hunter Education program and routinely exchange information related to verified hunter education records and training requirements for the Firearms Safety Program.

This position will be tasked with ensuring that CPW approved training is up to date, meets all requirements set forth by SB-003, evolves with new techniques, and build curriculum for both 4 hour and 12 hour training requirements.  The Firearms Safety Training Specialist will liaison with private firearms instructors that are certified by county sheriffs to carry out required training classes for SB003. This position may need to provide training for private firearms instructors, audit training records, and assist with questions and clarity surrounding the program.

Additionally, this position will need to work hand in hand with CPW’s hunter education program to coordinate training needs between the Firearms Safety Program and hunter education requirements. This may include additional training for hunter education instructors and support for the program, if affected.

•    The Firearms Safety Training Specialist will need to work with industry professionals and the Firearms Safety Program Manager to identify the best practices and training curriculum to meet SB-003 standards for the program. The position must research the best standards to meet requirements set out by law, and incorporate universal firearms handling rules and other teaching needs.

•    The position should consult with sheriff-certified firearms instructors and other SMEs to determine the best practices for training that should be included in both curriculums.

•     The Firearms Safety Training Specialist will need to maintain training protocol, updating it as needed, in CPW operational guidance. The position will be the statewide point of contact to answer questions, explain and hold agency provided training for private instructors as necessary.

• This position will be the primary point of contact for private firearms instructors to become established, sheriff-certified instructors for SB-003 purposes. The position will need to answer questions, assist and guide instructors, and work with hunter education instructors to fully understand requirements of the law and program.

•     Administer training opportunities for private firearms instructors to better understand and provide SB-003 required firearms training for the public.

•    This training may include in-person training or virtually based training webinars that are widely available.  The duty may include developing written firearms training information to be distributed statewide.

•     This duty may include travel to coordinate or administer training, support agency personnel or partners for the program.

• This position will need to ensure that accurate data is maintained and input into CPW’s Firearms Safety database, and may be required to periodically audit the accuracy of records.  
• In some circumstances the employee may need to manually input data as well.  
• Other administrative needs for the program related to training records, agreements, contracts or logistical requirements related to firearms training will also be the responsibility of this position.

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in Firearms Safety Training or similar law enforcement experience.

OR

A combination of related education in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Outdoor Recreation, Public Engagement/volunteer management, Education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years.

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• Current or retired POST certified officer or federal officer.
• Demonstrated experience working with government agencies administrating programs.
• Understanding of CPW funding, policies and protocol.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively convey complex issues in a concise manner to a diverse audience.
• Strong analytical, and inductive and deductive reasoning.
• Enthusiastic, energetic, optimistic, positive attitude, innovative thinking.
• Adaptable and open to change.

• Organization and time management skills.
• Strong level of written and oral communication.
• Strong public speaking.
• Proficient in the use and handling of all major firearms platforms.
• Familiarity with hunter education programs and requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills including building collaborative environment.
• Self-motivating, proactive, and able to prioritize and manage large volume of workload independently.
• Great work ethic, disciplined, conscientious, thorough, and diligent.
• Customer-service mindset, respectful, helpful.
• Possesses excellent problem solving ability and good judgment.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative by using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify solutions for customer or program challenges.
• Being reliable and punctual.
• Ability to perform under pressure, meet deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google docs.

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Firearms proficiency.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
• This position will be asked to travel overnight 2-4 weeks a year for meetings and as directed by supervisor
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position.  (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will
  disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).

• Must be able to legally possess and handle firearms.

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

• Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who: 

  • Have an assigned State fleet vehicle

  • Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position

  • Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. 

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.

• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. 

• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication. 

• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.